Monthly Archives: December 2018

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Canberra Raiders v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Canberra sees Tyrone Phillips tackled by Shannon Boyd and Sia Soliola. Photo: Rohan Thomson The Canberra TimesThe NRL’s Bunker has copped all kinds of criticism so far this season, but over the weekend, all I could do was shake my head.

At that stage, a ball hadn’t even been kicked in anger!

Sunday footy at Canberra saw the up-and-down Raiders against the up-and-down Bulldogs.

Since you couldn’t really say with much confidence what either team was going to do, it looked like a pretty good game to watch.

And then, we found out who was in the hot seat in the Bunker.

I was blown away!

Here we have a game involving the Canterbury Bulldogs and we have one of the best Bulldogs players of the modern era holding down the fort inside the Bunker.

I speak of none other than Luke “The General” Patten.

Patten played for the Doggies for many years, even winning the 2004 Grand Final for the “Family Club” from Belmore.

So, with this knowledge, I wondered whether the NRL had ever heard the phrase “perception is reality”?

You see, if Patten is asked to adjudicate on a contentious call and goes against the Raiders, despite the final decision being the correct one or not, he could be hauled over the coals simply because the “perception” would be that he has given his old team a helping hand.

And sure enough, there was one.

Halfway through the second half, Raiders excitement machine Blake Austin made a break and was eventually brought down right at the tryline.

In my opinion, Austin appeared to lose possession of the ball before he got to the in-goal, but the slo-mo replays suggest there may be more to it.

Is he actually short? When did he actually lose the ball? Is there still some form of contact when he gets to the line?

The on-field referee has said that he thinks it is a try (considering I don’t think it’s a try I think the on-field ref is having a guess) before sending the decision to “The General” to have a closer look.

In these cases, the man in the Bunker needs conclusive evidence to overrule the on-field referee.

So, “The General” looks at several angles. The slo-mo frames go back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

After a minute or so, The General has come up with his decision – NO TRY!

Now, I actually agree with his decision to call it a no try, but incredibly that isn’t the point in this case.

The point is that Luke Patten should not be put into any position where he is forced to adjudicate on any team that he once played for.

In the interests of not only protecting Patten from unwarranted attacks on his credibility, the NRL should have the political nous to understand that if they keep Patten away from Doggies games (and Dragons games as he started his career at the Steelers/Dragons) they are actually protecting themselves as well.

You know, for an organisation as big as it is, you really have to wonder what’s going on when something as simple as this is being overlooked.

Luckily for Patten and the NRL, the Raiders ended up winning the game. Otherwise, we would’ve heard a lot more about “The General” seemingly protecting his own.

And if we’ve learned anything over the years, Ricky Stuart is one of the best when it comes to airing grievances during a press conference.

So I guess, this time, it ended up being a win/win.

The Raiders eventually went on to win the game, and Sticky kept his $10,000 for a change.

But it could have been very different.

In this day and age, perception truly is reality.

And the NRL needs to smarten up before this really blows up in their face.

This article first appeared on TopBetta

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Dec 20, 2018

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At heart of Power ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Port Power celebrate after they defeated the Demons during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Fans look to get a vantage point of the match during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Darcy Byrne-Jones of Port Adelaide is tackled by Bernie Vince of the Demons during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: A general view during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Oscar McDonald of the Demons is challenged by Jarman Impey of Port Adelaide during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Alex Neal-Bullen of the Demons is challenged by Travis Boak of Port Adelaide during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Port Power celebrate after they defeated the Demons during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Brad Ebert of Port Adelaide is challenged by Max Gawn of the Demons during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Hamish Hartlett of Port Adelaide kicks the ball during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: A general view during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Alex Neal-Bullen of the Demons looks to control the ball during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA – MAY 28: Christian Petracca of the Demons handballs during the round 10 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Port Adelaide Power at Traeger Park on May 28, 2016 in Alice Springs, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

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Dec 20, 2018

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Greens candidate, Tamara Ryan, Residents and political figures willgatheron the grounds at the Hall interchangejust outside the ACT tomorrow at 7.45am,to launch the much anticipated social media campaign for the Barton Highway Community Action Group.

In the lead up to the launch, Sophie Wade of the Duplicate the Barton Highway Community Action Group and her family organised a drone to capture footage and aerial shots of traffic on the Barton Highway’s ‘mad mile’ – the place where around 12,000 motorists take to the road each day.

Rory and Sophie Wade with John Flemming. Photo: Jessica Cole.

The footage will be used in the intense media campaign to bring the ‘Barton issue’ into the gaze of the Eden-Monaro’s federal candidates.

The Barton Action Group has been crowdfunding for months, all in an attempt to make the Barton Highway a forefront issue in the July election.

Over $3000 has been raised for the campaign and, since the launch this morning, residents will begin to see the tag ‘Duplicate the Barton Highway’ on the bumper of thousands of cars as well as posters dotted along the stretch of road.

Ms Wade said the efforts made by the community is to make the federal government take the Barton Highway seriously.

“We’ve been a safe seat for 20 years and we have got nothing but idle promises. Eden Monaro is only held by 1000 votes,” Ms Wade told Fairfax.

“It’s trench warfare and the trench for Eden Monaro is definitely the Barton Highway. If they don’t address the Barton Highway they’re conceding defeat.”

Only weeks ago, Mike Kelly was favoured to win the bellwether seat, the latest polling, however, has showed Peter Hendy closing into equal favourite with Kelly to win Eden Monaro, according to sportsbet南京夜网419论坛.

Last Monday, May 23, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Premier Mike Baird flew into the seat of Eden-Monaro with bags of cash to splash on local projects, which has helped boost Hendy’s chances of retaining the seat. The Barton is yet to see a penny.

“Mike Kelly is the punter’s choice to win Eden Monaro, but the high profile visit from the Prime Minister and Premier shows the Liberal Party will not let this seat go lightly, with both candidates now neck and neck at $1.87,” sportsbet南京夜网419论坛’s Ben Bulmer said.

Both heavyweight parties are yet to commit any funding for the highway despite being described by Mr Kelly as the ‘link’ for the Eden-Monaro.

Greens candidate, Tamara Ryan, in a surprising announcement on Monday, has declared her commitment to fully duplicate the Barton Highway and to investigate long-term public transport additions along the route.

The 26-year-old Candello woman told the Tribune that a real solution is needed to save lives, not more band-aid fixes.

“More and more commuters and heavy vehicles are using the Barton each year, yet under successive Labor and Coalition governments, much has been promised but we only ever see piecemeal solutions at best,” Ms Ryan said.

“Patchy fixes on dangerous stretches have happened but the real solution – a full duplication and the inclusion of good public transport linkages with the ACT – seem to have been repeatedly put in the too hard basket.”

Ms Ryan believes taxing high income earners more would ensure funding for projects such as the Barton.

“Greens continue to call on the LNP and ALP to commit to the $284 million [now $800 million] for full duplication promised by Howard in 2007, not merely the ‘upgrades’ suggested by Mike Kelly. Those who commute between Canberra and surrounds are fed up with being told we can’t afford to invest in their safety. Greens say, we can’t afford not to!

“I support the impressive grassroots work done by the Barton Highway Action Group, and stand in solidarity with their launch this week,” concluded Ms Ryan.

John Flemming’sl drone out in full force on Tuesday. Photo: Jessica Cole.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

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Dec 20, 2018

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The Yass housing crisis is shutting almost all people on income support out of the private rental market. Photo: Getty. The Yass housing crisis is shutting almost all people on income support out of the private rental market, according to a snapshot from Anglicare’s annual Rental Affordability survey.

The study, in its seventh year, surveyed 34 properties advertised for rent in the Yass region in terms of affordability, which is up to 30 per cent of disposable income. It also looked at the appropriateness to accommodate the required number of people.

The survey found only 18 properties that were affordable and suitable for couples receiving benefits for two children. Most distressingly, singles and single parents were completely locked out of the private rental market.

Anglicare Manager of Housing and Social Services, Toni Reay, said the undersupply of affordable rentals in Yass was very concerning, particularly as it affected single parents and their children who were struggling with the threat and stress of homelessness.

“The housing affordability crisis is taking a huge toll on individuals and families in our community. It’s a problem that can no longer be ignored,” she said.

“What we are seeing is young people and single parent families severely impacted by the lack of suitable housing options across our region. Our work with single women, single men and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness shows us that appropriate, secure and affordable housing is the basic foundation for their well-being.”

Comparing 2015 data to 2016, there was such a decrease in the affordability for singles on aged pensions and couples on aged pensions that unlike previous years, they are now no longer able to find accommodation.

Ms Reay fears the number of people living in poverty and crisis in the Yass region will continue to rise if the issue is not addressed.

“We continue to see community members – in particular single parents receiving parenting payments and couples with one or two children on low incomes – severely impacted by the lack of suitable housing options. There is an urgent need for an effective approach towards funding affordable housing in Australia,” she said.

Alfred McCarthy from the Rae Burgess Centre in Yass said the housing situation has been the same for many years.

“The cost of housing in Canberra has a huge effect on Yass,” he said.

“The problem is that rental properties cost more because of the proximity to Canberra, which reflects back on people being unable to meet the rental costs because of demand. This then creates challenges for the Rae Burgess Centre.”

The Rae Burgess Centre assists with accommodation options for women, men and families who reside in Yass or the catchment area and have become homeless due to domestic violence or other reasons.

The centre advocates and negotiates on behalf of people facing homelessness due to domestic violence or other issues including representation to Centrelink or landlords, court support and referral to other agencies.

“There are two sources of accommodation options we work with. The Argyle housing is a not-for-profit, which helps to find properties for housing commission. We also work closely with local agents who are really helpful,” he continued.

The Rae Burgess Centre, based in Banjo Paterson Park, operates Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am until 4pm. There is no on-call service outside these hours.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.

Dubosarsky visitedKurri Preschool and a number ofother schools in the area.

The visit was organised by Karen Bruce from Kurri Library, using funding from the Country Arts Support Program (CASP).

Dubosarsky was also the guest speaker at a fundraising dinner for Kurri Preschool, held at KurriBowling Club on May 24.

She spoke on the topic“Why do children want to read?… And what you can do to help”.

Her main points were:

– Children want to spend time with you, their parent, and a story generally gives them your undivided attention for the time it takes.

– Reading aloud to your children does pay off in the long run. Even if the child is slow learning to read, once they do start,they will rapidly improve, so stick with it!

– Don’t feel you have to read every word if the child doesn’t have the patience for it – ad-lib or talk about the pictures.

– Choose books with fewer words – often this is a sign that the author has thought deeply about their message and condensed it into fewer words.

– Let children choose their own books on topics they are interested in. The best way to do this is through regular visits to the local library.

– You can also choose some books for your child – books that you loved as a child, or “classics”, beautifully illustrated books, books that address something that is happening in their life or books that you know you will enjoy reading.

The dinner provided a great opportunity for preschool, school, health services and community to discuss reading and how to foster it in Kurri.

“It was so much fun, we’re planning to do it all again in twoyears’ time,” Kurri Preschool directorJannelle Gallagher said.

This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.